Local candidates square off in second annual debate hosted by The Chronicle

Editor's note: Look for articles on each race in next week’s editions of The Chronicle. The series begins with the Port of Centralia Commission race, which you can read about at https://tinyurl.com/3pw3xxm7. 

Candidates from nine 2025 Lewis County general election races took to the stage Wednesday night for the second annual debate hosted and organized by The Chronicle at the Centralia College TransAlta Commons.

The debate was moderated by Lewis County Republican Party Chair Greg Rohr and Lewis County Democratic Party Chair Zac Eckstein.

Three races — Napavine City Council Position 1, Winlock mayor and Centralia City Council District 3 — were represented by one candidate giving an introductory speech and fielding audience questions.

The other six races featured debates between two candidates, who each answered three moderator questions and a handful of audience questions sandwiched between an opening statement and closing remarks.

The following candidates participated in the debate:

• Brian Watson — Napavine City Council Position 1

• Bob Spahr vs. Jessie Carver — Chehalis City Council Position 3 At-Large

• Kevin Carns vs. Jack-Allen Snodgrass — Chehalis City Council Position 2 At-Large

• Kate McDougall vs. Elijah White — Chehalis City Council Position 1 At-Large

• Brandon Svenson — Winlock mayor

• Kevin Curtis — Centralia City Council District 3

• Norm Chapman vs. Lisa Striedinger — Centralia City Council District 1

• Leah Sisemore vs. Ray Chapman-Wilson — Centralia City Council District 2

• Julie Shaffley vs. Ally Pickard — Port of Centralia Commissioner District 2

Look for more coverage of The Chronicle debate at chronline.com and in next week’s editions of The Chronicle.

Videos of each debate will be available at chronline.com as articles on thee individual races are published. 

The Chronicle held its first debates of recent years in 2024, inviting candidates for the state Legislature, Board of Lewis County Commissioners, Congress and state attorney general to an event at Centralia College. Hundreds attended.

On Saturday, the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association honored The Chronicle with the Public Service Award in recognition for its work on the debates.